Localization of GABA(B) (R1) receptors in the rat hippocampus by immunocytochemistry and high resolution autoradiography, with specific reference to its localization in identified hippocampal interneuron subpopulations.

Immunocytochemical and autoradiographic methods were used to localize the GABA(B) receptor in the normal rat hippocampus. GABA(B) receptor 1-like immunoreactivity (GBR1-LI) was most intense in presumed GABAergic interneurons of all hippocampal subregions. It was also present throughout the hippocampal neuropil, where it was most intense in the dendritic strata of the dentate gyrus, which are innervated by the perforant pathway and inhibitory dentate hilar cells, and in strata oriens and radiatum of area CA3.

Mechanisms contributing to the deficits in hippocampal synaptic plasticity in mice lacking amyloid precursor protein.

Abnormal processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP), in particular the generation of beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptides, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. This study examined the consequences of deleting the APP gene on hippocampal synaptic plasticity, and upon the biophysical properties of morphologically identified neurones in APP-null mice. The hippocampus of APP-null mice had a characteristic increase in gliosis throughout the CA1 region and a disruption of staining for the dendritic marker MAP2 and the presynaptic marker synaptophysin.

Age-related cognitive deficits, impaired long-term potentiation and reduction in synaptic marker density in mice lacking the beta-amyloid precursor protein.

Mutations in the beta-amyloid precursor protein are strongly associated with some cases of familial Alzheimer's disease. The normal physiological role of beta-amyloid precursor protein in the brain was evaluated in a cross-sectional analysis of mice deficient in beta-amyloid precursor protein. Compared with wild-type control mice the beta-amyloid precursor protein-null mice developed age-dependent deficits in cognitive function and also had impairments in long-term potentiation.

Expression of B1 and B2 bradykinin receptor mRNA and their functional roles in sympathetic ganglia and sensory dorsal root ganglia neurones from wild-type and B2 receptor knockout mice.

Bradykinin has been implicated in nociception and inflammation. To examine the relative significance of B1 and B2 bradykinin receptor subtypes in sympathetic and sensory ganglia, the electrophysiological effects of bradykinin analogues and the expression of receptor subtype mRNA were examined in wild-type and "B2 knockout" mice from which the B2 receptor gene had been deleted. In wild-type mice the B2 receptor agonist bradykinin depolarized superior cervical ganglia (SCG) and activated inward currents in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurones.

Modulation of long-term potentiation in CA1 region of mouse hippocampal brain slices by GABAA receptor benzodiazepine site ligands.

Enhancement of GABAA receptor function with benzodiazepine (BZ) site agonists can disrupt memory formation and hippocampal synaptic plasticity. To investigate this further the effects of the agonist, flunitrazepam, were contrasted with that of the inverse agonist, methyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (DMCM), on NMDA-dependent LTP induction in the CA1 region of mouse hippocampus. Under control conditions, a priming stimulus (10 stimuli at 100 Hz) potentiated e.

Antagonism of the effects of (+)-PD 128907 on midbrain dopamine neurones in rat brain slices by a selective D2 receptor antagonist L-741,626.

1. The ability of PD 128907 to activate dopamine receptors in the ventral tegmental area, substantia nigra pars compacta, and striatum was investigated by use of in vitro electrophysiological recording and fast cyclic voltammetry. The affinity of a novel D2 selective antagonist L-741,626 for receptors activated by this agonist was measured to determine if its effects were mediated by D2 or D3 receptors.

Bradykinin receptors in mouse and rat isolated superior cervical ganglia.

1. The ability of bradykinin and its analogues to depolarize rat and mouse superior cervical ganglia was studied by use of in vitro grease-gap recording techniques, and the ability of antagonists selective for bradykinin receptor subtypes to block their effects was examined. 2.

Pharmacology of tachykinin receptors on neurones in the ventral tegmental area of rat brain slices.

The pharmacology of tachykinin receptors within the ventral tegmental area of rat brain slices was studied using in vitro electrophysiological techniques. The selective tachykinin NK3 receptor agonist senktide (100 nM) increased the action potential firing rate from 1.9 to 3.

Comparison between the pharmacology of dopamine receptors mediating the inhibition of cell firing in rat brain slices through the substantia nigra pars compacta and ventral tegmental area.

1. Electrophysiological recordings were made from presumed dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and ventral tegmental area of rat brain slices. The ability of selective dopamine receptor agonists to hyperpolarize neurones and inhibit cell firing, as well as the ability of dopamine receptor antagonists to block responses to quinpirole were compared.

Differences in neurokinin receptor pharmacology between rat and guinea-pig superior cervical ganglia.

1. The depolarizations elicited by seven neurokinin receptor agonists were examined in both rat and guinea-pig superior cervical ganglia by use of grease-gap methodology in the presence of tetrodotoxin (0.1 microM).

Inhibition of functional vasodilatation and prostaglandin formation in rabbit adipose tissue by indomethacin and aspirin.

1. The epigastric adipose depot of rabbits has been used to examine the effect of indomethacin, aspirin and nicotinic acid on the free fatty acid release and blood flow in fat tissue.2.